In the United States, we are preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving. We are reminded to be grateful, even during challenging times. Gratitude is easy when life is good, but it is essential to remain thankful during hardships, as these experiences prepare us for future blessings. In our text, Jesus heals a man who has been blind since birth. The mud, though messy and symbolic of despair, was a transformative tool Jesus used to bring about healing. The man's obedience and cleansing, not the mud itself, led to his sight being restored. The mess is part of the message, and while we may not choose our trials, they are orchestrated for our benefit. Ultimately, God does not want us to remain in our struggles but to be cleansed and transformed through them.

In the United States, we are preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving. We are reminded to be grateful, even during challenging times. Gratitude is easy when life is good, but it is essential to remain thankful during hardships, as these experiences prepare us for future blessings. In our text, Jesus heals a man who has been blind since birth. The mud, though messy and symbolic of despair, was a transformative tool Jesus used to bring about healing. The man's obedience and cleansing, not the mud itself, led to his sight being restored. The mess is part of the message, and while we may not choose our trials, they are orchestrated for our benefit. Ultimately, God does not want us to remain in our struggles but to be cleansed and transformed through them.

There is a difference between feeling like a failure and being a failure. The men in our text were professional fishermen. They knew this lake and its peculiarities for fishing. They were skilled, trained, and experienced. But on that night, they were unsuccessful. Despite the work and effort, the nets are empty. Jesus boards the boat and begins to teach people on the shore. After ministering to the people, Jesus tells Simon to launch out into the deep. Simon responds: We have worked all night and caught nothing, but we will do as you say. Something shifted in Simon during his response, and he decided to trust Jesus. The net-breaking catch was not the miracle of this story. Jesus did all that to get Simon to the place where he called James and John to be disciples. They were tired, having fished all night. They were disappointed because their work had not yielded any results. Let the nets down one more time. God knows how to deal with our failures, our emptiness. He knows how to turn things around. He can answer our deepest needs and insecurities. Allow Him to reposition us to a place where He can work in our lives.

There is a difference between feeling like a failure and being a failure. The men in our text were professional fishermen. They knew this lake and its peculiarities for fishing. They were skilled, trained, and experienced. But on that night, they were unsuccessful. Despite the work and effort, the nets are empty. Jesus boards the boat and begins to teach people on the shore. After ministering to the people, Jesus tells Simon to launch out into the deep. Simon responds: We have worked all night and caught nothing, but we will do as you say. Something shifted in Simon during his response, and he decided to trust Jesus. The net-breaking catch was not the miracle of this story. Jesus did all that to get Simon to the place where he called James and John to be disciples. They were tired, having fished all night. They were disappointed because their work had not yielded any results. Let the nets down one more time. God knows how to deal with our failures, our emptiness. He knows how to turn things around. He can answer our deepest needs and insecurities. Allow Him to reposition us to a place where He can work in our lives.

Love will make you do some crazy things. Love can change us. It can soften our hearts and change our priorities. Love is selfless. Love starts with a relationship and friendship. The hardships didn't matter because you love each other. Love will cause you to do things others would not understand. Jesus demonstrated His love by laying down. His life, while we were still sinners. In our text, Jacob is with Leben. He loved Rachel and submitted himself to the work for seven years because of his love. We like our payment up front, but Jacob agreed to work for 7 years before receiving Rachel as his wife, AND THEN to work for seven more after Laban tricked him. The bible says it only seemed like a few days because he loved Rachel so much. He was willing to do anything because he loved her. Is our relationship with Jesus like that? Do we view our relationship as a burden or a chore? Can we go back to the moment when we knew we loved Jesus? Can we remember what it felt like when we came up out of the water? Can we go back to when we received the Holy Ghost? Can we remember how we felt then? Does it still feel like that? When we serve, it is not an obligation or a duty; it is done out of love. Don't forget that feeling from the beginning when our love for Jesus was not a chore, but a privilege.

Love will make you do some crazy things. Love can change us. It can soften our hearts and change our priorities. Love is selfless. Love starts with a relationship and friendship. The hardships didn't matter because you love each other. Love will cause you to do things others would not understand. Jesus demonstrated His love by laying down. His life, while we were still sinners. In our text, Jacob is with Leben. He loved Rachel and submitted himself to the work for seven years because of his love. We like our payment up front, but Jacob agreed to work for 7 years before receiving Rachel as his wife, AND THEN to work for seven more after Laban tricked him. The bible says it only seemed like a few days because he loved Rachel so much. He was willing to do anything because he loved her. Is our relationship with Jesus like that? Do we view our relationship as a burden or a chore? Can we go back to the moment when we knew we loved Jesus? Can we remember what it felt like when we came up out of the water? Can we go back to when we received the Holy Ghost? Can we remember how we felt then? Does it still feel like that? When we serve, it is not an obligation or a duty; it is done out of love. Don't forget that feeling from the beginning when our love for Jesus was not a chore, but a privilege.

We all have specific ways and beliefs ingrained deep in us that we do without thinking. This is how deep Daniel's faith was. The enemy tried to trap him or find some fault to discredit him, but they could find none. Since they couldn't find anything, they began to plot a way to trap him using his faithfulness They devised a law that would prohibit people from praying to God rather than the King. They knew that Daniel would continue praying to Gad and therefore break the law. They were confident that he would be faithful. The King also knew that Daniel was faithful. He knew he had been tricked, but he had to go through the with the punishment. He encouraged Daniel, saying God would protect him. The real story here is not Daniel's faithfulness or that Darius recognized it. The real story is God's faithfulness. The message here is to be confident in our continual What do others see in us? Do they see a continual faith?

We all have specific ways and beliefs ingrained deep in us that we do without thinking. This is how deep Daniel's faith was. The enemy tried to trap him or find some fault to discredit him, but they could find none. Since they couldn't find anything, they began to plot a way to trap him using his faithfulness They devised a law that would prohibit people from praying to God rather than the King. They knew that Daniel would continue praying to Gad and therefore break the law. They were confident that he would be faithful. The King also knew that Daniel was faithful. He knew he had been tricked, but he had to go through the with the punishment. He encouraged Daniel, saying God would protect him. The real story here is not Daniel's faithfulness or that Darius recognized it. The real story is God's faithfulness. The message here is to be confident in our continual What do others see in us? Do they see a continual faith?

In scripture, the word therefore should cause us to stop and take notice. There is always a reason for the therefore. We need to hear whatever he says next. In this specific text, God's people were in captivity in Babylon. They found it too difficult to praise God. They were in a strange place and scattered across the land. They were in a place of little strength. Our text talks about little. However, this little is not insufficient. This little was more than enough. They were in a strange place and felt all alone. They wanted deliverance, but God promised them a little Sanctuary to get them through. He was going to be enough. They wanted more, but God was enough. We must learn how to praise God when we don't have enough. We must praise God in the times of trial and suffering. We may not have all we want, but we can praise Gad with what we have. We may not be as close to God as we should be, but we can praise Him where we are. We may not have what we used to have, but we can make it what we have left. We must praise God in our poverty to let the devil know he did not win. There is a biblical truth in scripture that if we do not use what God gives us, we will lose it. We must praise with what little hope we have, or we may lose what little hope we have. Our text gives us a promise amid the pain. He promised them He would be a little sanctuary right where they were. He was there and was all they needed.

In scripture, the word therefore should cause us to stop and take notice. There is always a reason for the therefore. We need to hear whatever he says next. In this specific text, God's people were in captivity in Babylon. They found it too difficult to praise God. They were in a strange place and scattered across the land. They were in a place of little strength. Our text talks about little. However, this little is not insufficient. This little was more than enough. They were in a strange place and felt all alone. They wanted deliverance, but God promised them a little Sanctuary to get them through. He was going to be enough. They wanted more, but God was enough. We must learn how to praise God when we don't have enough. We must praise God in the times of trial and suffering. We may not have all we want, but we can praise Gad with what we have. We may not be as close to God as we should be, but we can praise Him where we are. We may not have what we used to have, but we can make it what we have left. We must praise God in our poverty to let the devil know he did not win. There is a biblical truth in scripture that if we do not use what God gives us, we will lose it. We must praise with what little hope we have, or we may lose what little hope we have. Our text gives us a promise amid the pain. He promised them He would be a little sanctuary right where they were. He was there and was all they needed.

We do not like being separated from the ones we love. However, sometimes it is necessary to allow for growth or development. Dad didn't let go of the bicycle to watch us fall. He let go so we could learn to ride on our own. God sometimes puts distance between Himself and us to push us toward something better or that is more than we think we can do. The psalmist bemoans his separation from God. But later, he realized that God was with him the whole time. Job felt that separation, but never lost faith. The distance is often real. But why is it there? Sin is one answer. God hates sin, and the bible says our sin separates us from God and causes Him to hide his face. The enemy uses this against us, telling us that our actions are too bad to be forgiven. But the Bible says NOTHING can separate us from the love of God. Given that, why does God put distance between us? He is trying to get us to grow. He has gone ahead to lead us to a higher place. He is leading; we must follow. His walking away is not leaving; it is leading. The divide is not a rejection. It is an invitation. There are times He shows up to where we are, but there are times we must move to where He is. In Matthew 14 the disciples are in a storm fighting against the wind. Jesus comes walking to them on the water. Peter says if it is you, bid me to come to you on the water. He wanted to overcome the divide. Jesus said Come.- That invitation was to all of them not just Peter. All we have to do is step out of the boat. Each step was a reward for believing in faith. God led Israel out of Egypt and gave them a pillar of cloud and fire by night to follow. They had to move with him, or be left behind. If we stay where He was, we will miss out on where He is taking us. We must get out of our comfort zone and close the divide. He cannot be the only one pursuing. We must close the gap and run Him. Our actions can create a divide, but so can our inaction. What feels like distance from God is His invitation to draw closer.

We do not like being separated from the ones we love. However, sometimes it is necessary to allow for growth or development. Dad didn't let go of the bicycle to watch us fall. He let go so we could learn to ride on our own. God sometimes puts distance between Himself and us to push us toward something better or that is more than we think we can do. The psalmist bemoans his separation from God. But later, he realized that God was with him the whole time. Job felt that separation, but never lost faith. The distance is often real. But why is it there? Sin is one answer. God hates sin, and the bible says our sin separates us from God and causes Him to hide his face. The enemy uses this against us, telling us that our actions are too bad to be forgiven. But the Bible says NOTHING can separate us from the love of God. Given that, why does God put distance between us? He is trying to get us to grow. He has gone ahead to lead us to a higher place. He is leading; we must follow. His walking away is not leaving; it is leading. The divide is not a rejection. It is an invitation. There are times He shows up to where we are, but there are times we must move to where He is. In Matthew 14 the disciples are in a storm fighting against the wind. Jesus comes walking to them on the water. Peter says if it is you, bid me to come to you on the water. He wanted to overcome the divide. Jesus said Come.- That invitation was to all of them not just Peter. All we have to do is step out of the boat. Each step was a reward for believing in faith. God led Israel out of Egypt and gave them a pillar of cloud and fire by night to follow. They had to move with him, or be left behind. If we stay where He was, we will miss out on where He is taking us. We must get out of our comfort zone and close the divide. He cannot be the only one pursuing. We must close the gap and run Him. Our actions can create a divide, but so can our inaction. What feels like distance from God is His invitation to draw closer.

Deep down, all of us want to please God. To do that, we often give of ourselves: our time, our efforts, or our money. We can give all we have and more, but if what we give is not what God wants, what have we accomplished? Is it possible to give too much? When we try to impress God or outdo our neighbors, we may have given too much. The Old Testament is particular about sacrifices. It defines certain animals, in an exact condition, for each type of offering. The law also had allowances for those who could not afford a bull or a ram, to use a dove or a pigeon in place of the more expensive animal. God provided a way for each person to offer and accept an acceptable sacrifice for their sins. Sometimes we try to bargain with God by giving something else in place of the sacrifice He asks of us. It is not about the quantity. It is about the quality. God has no need for our wealth; He is asking a sacrifice from us to demonstrate our reliance on Him. God knows what we can bring. He is not asking us to outdo our neighbor; He is asking us to outdo ourselves. Whatever God is asking of us is what we should give. We should not question what He wants, or how He wants it. God is not trying to trick us. All we have to do is be pleasing to the Lord. Are we pleasing God when we do what he didn't ask us to do? What about the opposite situation? What if we won't give God what He asks? We offer too little when we only offer some. To obey is better than sacrifice. When we only obey part of what God asks, we have rejected all of God. God has shown what He wants from us. If we give more, it is not pleasing to Him, and if we give less, it is a sin. We must find a balance between giving too much and withholding what is required.

Deep down, all of us want to please God. To do that, we often give of ourselves: our time, our efforts, or our money. We can give all we have and more, but if what we give is not what God wants, what have we accomplished? Is it possible to give too much? When we try to impress God or outdo our neighbors, we may have given too much. The Old Testament is particular about sacrifices. It defines certain animals, in an exact condition, for each type of offering. The law also had allowances for those who could not afford a bull or a ram, to use a dove or a pigeon in place of the more expensive animal. God provided a way for each person to offer and accept an acceptable sacrifice for their sins. Sometimes we try to bargain with God by giving something else in place of the sacrifice He asks of us. It is not about the quantity. It is about the quality. God has no need for our wealth; He is asking a sacrifice from us to demonstrate our reliance on Him. God knows what we can bring. He is not asking us to outdo our neighbor; He is asking us to outdo ourselves. Whatever God is asking of us is what we should give. We should not question what He wants, or how He wants it. God is not trying to trick us. All we have to do is be pleasing to the Lord. Are we pleasing God when we do what he didn't ask us to do? What about the opposite situation? What if we won't give God what He asks? We offer too little when we only offer some. To obey is better than sacrifice. When we only obey part of what God asks, we have rejected all of God. God has shown what He wants from us. If we give more, it is not pleasing to Him, and if we give less, it is a sin. We must find a balance between giving too much and withholding what is required.

Life comes with troubles. In the midst of these troubles, it is all too easy to not be able to see anything but the immediate situation. In these times, we must remember that what we see right then is not the end state. God has other plans. God can change our perspective. This change in perspective can change our perception of our future. Getting to see this new perception releases us to praise. The Psalmist encourages us to lift our hands in the sanctuary. To do this, we must let go of all the negative things we are carrying and open our hands to praise. The sanctuary is a place God gives us to come and leave our problems, our hurts, and our disappointments. Let God change our perspective and open the bridge to our possibilities.

Life comes with troubles. In the midst of these troubles, it is all too easy to not be able to see anything but the immediate situation. In these times, we must remember that what we see right then is not the end state. God has other plans. God can change our perspective. This change in perspective can change our perception of our future. Getting to see this new perception releases us to praise. The Psalmist encourages us to lift our hands in the sanctuary. To do this, we must let go of all the negative things we are carrying and open our hands to praise. The sanctuary is a place God gives us to come and leave our problems, our hurts, and our disappointments. Let God change our perspective and open the bridge to our possibilities.

Our God is a giving God. While He gives, He also takes away. We read many accounts in the Bible where God took something away. However, we also read that after taking away, He eventually gives again, often much better than before. God will not leave us with nothingness. After the storm, God restores the sunshine. God also removes hardships. We like it when he does that. Is it unreasonable to expect that if God gives, He may also take away? Job's wife wrestled with this concept. She enjoyed the increase God provided, but when all was removed, she urged Job to curse God and die. Hearing this, Job rebuked his wife and reminded her that the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Takeaway is also an expression we use to describe a lesson learned from something. We might ask someone for their takeaway from a lesson or lecture, but this principle also applies to situations in life. If we are not careful, we can focus on what we have lost (what has been taken away) and not the lesson learned from the experience (the takeaway). Sometimes God has to take some things from us so He can do more for us. We cannot sing a new song if the old song is still on our lips. Often, the end of something makes way for something better. Do not focus on what was lost, but look expectantly for what God has in the future.

Our God is a giving God. While He gives, He also takes away. We read many accounts in the Bible where God took something away. However, we also read that after taking away, He eventually gives again, often much better than before. God will not leave us with nothingness. After the storm, God restores the sunshine. God also removes hardships. We like it when he does that. Is it unreasonable to expect that if God gives, He may also take away? Job's wife wrestled with this concept. She enjoyed the increase God provided, but when all was removed, she urged Job to curse God and die. Hearing this, Job rebuked his wife and reminded her that the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Takeaway is also an expression we use to describe a lesson learned from something. We might ask someone for their takeaway from a lesson or lecture, but this principle also applies to situations in life. If we are not careful, we can focus on what we have lost (what has been taken away) and not the lesson learned from the experience (the takeaway). Sometimes God has to take some things from us so He can do more for us. We cannot sing a new song if the old song is still on our lips. Often, the end of something makes way for something better. Do not focus on what was lost, but look expectantly for what God has in the future.

Sometimes we find ourselves needing something from God. Sometimes he responds quickly, and other times he is silent. We struggle with those times when we do not hear from Him. In these quiet times, it is easy to miss the blessings that God has provided as we long for the answer to our need. He does the big things, but He also does the small things that sustain us. God can work immediately, or it may take 20 years to get the answer we want. For Abraham and Sarah, it was 100 years before they saw their miracle. No matter the timing, God is always on time. But when God speaks, things happen. When He speaks, worlds come into existence, people rise from the dead, or the Red Sea parts. The first chapter of Genesis has "God said…and it was so" ten times. Sometimes God speaks to us, other times he speaks through things around us, like a burning bush or a donkey. In Mark 4, Jesus is asleep in the rear of the ship during a great storm. The disciples woke Him in a panic. Jesus did not speak to them at first; He spoke to the great storm, and what followed was a great peace. Just because He is not speaking directly to you does not mean that he is not speaking for you. After running from God, Jonah finds himself in the belly of a great fish. God had a plan. As bad as being in the fish's belly was, it was better than drowning after being thrown overboard. The situation we are in may be bad, but it might be part of something bigger God is doing. If there was ever a time Jonah needed a word from God, it was in this situation, but God did not speak to him. He spoke to the fish. In the time of our most desperate need, God may be speaking to someone else on our behalf. At our worst time, God may be talking to the storm. God has appointed something great.

Sometimes we find ourselves needing something from God. Sometimes he responds quickly, and other times he is silent. We struggle with those times when we do not hear from Him. In these quiet times, it is easy to miss the blessings that God has provided as we long for the answer to our need. He does the big things, but He also does the small things that sustain us. God can work immediately, or it may take 20 years to get the answer we want. For Abraham and Sarah, it was 100 years before they saw their miracle. No matter the timing, God is always on time. But when God speaks, things happen. When He speaks, worlds come into existence, people rise from the dead, or the Red Sea parts. The first chapter of Genesis has "God said…and it was so" ten times. Sometimes God speaks to us, other times he speaks through things around us, like a burning bush or a donkey. In Mark 4, Jesus is asleep in the rear of the ship during a great storm. The disciples woke Him in a panic. Jesus did not speak to them at first; He spoke to the great storm, and what followed was a great peace. Just because He is not speaking directly to you does not mean that he is not speaking for you. After running from God, Jonah finds himself in the belly of a great fish. God had a plan. As bad as being in the fish's belly was, it was better than drowning after being thrown overboard. The situation we are in may be bad, but it might be part of something bigger God is doing. If there was ever a time Jonah needed a word from God, it was in this situation, but God did not speak to him. He spoke to the fish. In the time of our most desperate need, God may be speaking to someone else on our behalf. At our worst time, God may be talking to the storm. God has appointed something great.